10. Straight Outta Compton

The rise of gangster rap was brought to the big screen with precision and style by director F. Gary Grey and stood out as one of 2015’s big winners. Showcasing an impressive debut from newcomer Jason Mitchell as the legendary Easy-E, Straight Outta Compton was an obvious stand out.

9. Testament of Youth

The horror, carnage, and loss of the First World War was brought to life in vivid detail in director James Kent’s heart-shattering adaptation of the classic bestseller Testament of Youth. Anchored by the presence and ability of rising star Alicia Vikander, this incredibly moving piece of cinema presented the war as told through the perspective of one young woman who witnessed it first hand, and who would forever be shaped and changed by its aftermath.

8. Creed

Director Ryan Coogler, and rising star Michael B. Jordan, staked their claim for greatness with this hard-hitting new chapter of the Rocky franchise. Jordon cut an impressive figure as talented but angry young prize fighter Adonis Creed-Johnson who, with the help of former champ Rocky Balboa, rises to the occasion. A thrilling film in every sense, Creed was a first class winner.

7. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

The stakes have never been higher for Tom Cruise as superspy Ethan Hunt in this no-holds-barred action film. Reuniting Cruise with longtime collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, his ‘need for speed’ was certainly attained with an adrenaline charging motorcycle chase, as well as featuring the actor brave a 5,000-foot drop from a moving cargo plane.

6. The Dressmaker

Revenge has never looked so good in director Jocelyn Moorhouse’s The Dressmaker. Featuring a story that is original, clever and fantastically sharp, The Dressmaker is anchored by a phenomenal performance from Kate Winslet as vengeful couturier Myrtle ‘Tilly’ Dunnage, and completed by the appearance of Judy Davis as mad old bat ‘Mad’ Molly Dunnage, not to mention Hugo Weaving as the fantastically camp Sergeant Horatio Farrett.

5. Legend

Tom Hardy was pure double trouble in this stylish and violent criminal biopic that brought the notorious Kray twins to life. Shaped by a solid story and brilliant production detail, Legend also saw Hardy effortlessly move between the criminally gifted Reggie, and the violently unstable Ronnie. Emily Browning completes this amazing film as East End ingénue Francis, whose fairytale gangster love affair quickly turns dark.

4. Sicario

Emily Blunt walked a brutal path straight down into the very heart of darkness in Denis Villeneuve’s Sicario. All notions of good and evil were shattered in this hard-hitting crime film which featured one of the most intense confrontations I’ve ever witnessed on screen, and Benicio del Toro was magnificent as the silent and brooding assassin Alejandro.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road

For those wanting an adrenaline rush there was nowhere better to turn than George Miller’s gasoline charged, action-manic spectacular Mad Max: Fury Road. Featuring two brilliant performances from co-leads Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road brought to life a dangerous and dark world.

2. The Ground We Won

The camaraderie and brotherhood of the game of rugby stood at the heart of this extraordinary documentary film, which chronicled a group of good ol’ kiwi battlers who lived for the weekend and the game they loved. Captured with beautiful black and white cinematography, The Ground We Won was a moving portrait of a rural community, and the game that held them together in a piece of unmissable cinema.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens was an absolutely amazing cinematic feat, and is without a doubt my favourite film of the year. Capturing the nostalgia of the original trilogy, as well as introducing two amazing new co-leads, Force Awakens was action-adventure storytelling at it best. Utterly brilliant.

Feature image source: Walt Disney Pictures.

The post SpicyPulp’s Best Films of 2015 – Sam’s Picks appeared first on SpicyPulp.

5. Everybody Has A Story About The Krays

‘Club owning’ gangster twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray were the kings of London’s East End during the 1960s, and director Brian Helgeland takes this into account with this dramatic masterpiece. His eye for detail is phenomenal, keeping everything in line with historical accuracy, including the fact that the Kray’s would routinely hold their meetings at their mum’s house where they could indulge in a good ol’cup of tea. It’s details like this that really brings the film to life, and intricately lures audiences to invest in the life of the notorious gangsters.

4.  Gangster Flair

While there’s been some stiff competition in cinema this year when it comes to slick costuming and impressive set design (The Man from U.N.C.L.E. springs to mind), Legend holds its own in the style stakes. From Savile Row suits and Chanel dresses, to the classic cars and glamourous nightclubs, the film’s art direction is something to be applauded.

3. Brian Helgeland: A Director In Control

Brian Helgeland is one of Hollywood’s greatest talents. The Academy Award winning screenwriter is one of the best wordsmiths in the business (L.A. Confidential, A Knight’s Tale, Man On Fire), not to mention an impressive director (42). However, Legend has really given Helgeland a chance to stretch his legs, having crafted what will undoubtedly become the new standard for gangster pictures. Helgeland’s direction and story structure is solid, drawing audiences in and leading them through this glamourous gangster life, while carefully weaving in crucial aspects of its seedy underbelly.

2. An East Eden Love Story

Part of what makes Legend such an entertaining and original gangster film is that it’s not framed as one. Instead, Helgeland tells his story through the voice of Frances Kray, the ingenue wife of Reggie Kray who is played by the delightful Emily Browning. While at first Frances finds herself in an East End gangster fairy tale, she soon learns about the terror and blood that has been shed to build it. Hardy and Browning’s chemistry is a compelling watch, and while the classic romantic tropes are certainly put to use, their character’s love story never prevents the plot from moving forward.

1. The Two-Faced Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy has reached a new career high with his portrayal of both Ronnie and Reggie Kray. A calm, dapper yet calculating gangster who desires respect above notoriety, Reggie Kray is a character we can’t take our eyes off. In Hardy’s capable hands, Reggie becomes someone we want to see at the top of the food chain despite his flaws. It’s too bad that his brother and partner in crime is a psychotic, mentally ill, and aggressively violent gangster that could ruin everything. Hardy’s portrayal of Ronnie is both masterful and wonderfully terrifying, and will be remembered for years to come.

Legend will be released in cinemas on October 8.

Image source: Studio Canal.

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Legend focuses its attention primarily on Reggie Kray, the more rational of the twins, as he seeks to control SoHo’s criminal underworld, while also managing the psychotic tendencies of his twin brother Ronnie.

While previous trailers have shined a light on the kinetic action and gangster swagger of Ronnie and Reggie Kray, this new trailer focuses more on their characterisation, quest for control, and the consequences that they face in their pursuit of power. We also get a clearer picture of Hardy’s brilliant performance as both the level-headed and collected Reggie, as well as his scary performance as the psychologically complex and psychopathic Ronnie.

Everyone might have a story about the Krays, but on October 8, Brian Helgeland will present the definitive story with Legend.

The post Tom Hardy’s Dangerous Double Life As The Kray Twins in Legend appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Legend focuses its attention primarily on Reggie Kray, the more rational of the twins, as he seeks to control SoHo’s criminal underworld, while also controlling the psychotic tendencies of his twin brother Ronnie.

The brand new trailer is an unapologetic, in-your-face force of nature that pulls audiences into the glamour, the violence, and the madness that was London’s East End under the Kray’s savage rule during the 1950s and 1960s. Helgeland both writes and directs, and has packed his cast out with incredible supporting stars including Emily Browning as Frances Shea, the wife of Reggie Kray, Taron Edgarton as Edward ‘Mad Teddy’ Smith, a psychopathic gay man, and the rumored lover of Ronnie Kray, David Thewlis as Leslie Payne, the Krays business manager, with Chazz Palmanteri as Mafia boss Angelo Bruno, and Christopher Eccleston as Leonard ‘Nipper’ Read, a Scotland Yard detective who would bring the Krays down.

Legend appears to be an all out riot, and will enthrall audiences as only the best gangster films can on October 8.

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